Key holder



F. A. BALLOU Oct. 6, 1942.

KEY HOLDER Filed May 5, 1941 INVENTOR if'ea ezz'alj a/7aw BY 4,410 m ATTOR N EYS Patented Oct. 6, 1 942 KEY HOLDER Frederick A. Ballou, Nayatt, R. I., assignor to B. A. Ballou & 00., Inc., a corporation of Rhode Island Application May 5, 1941, Serial No. 391,866

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a key holder of the type for maintaining keys assembled in a pack to be carried by the person.

It is usual for the person to carry a number of keys assembled by means of a key holder for holding them as a single unit or in a single package. Usually in the use of a bunch of keys it is necessary to select one of the keys from the bunch for use, which, if the bunch is large, consumes an appreciable period of time. Frequently, one or a few keys are selected much more often than others.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a means for separating the keys of a package into parts with the parts diiferent so that one know ing the group may more quickly select the key that he desires from a fewer number of keys.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of flexible holders so that the more frequently used keys of the package may be separated from those less frequently used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple arrangement whereby the keys from one of the selected groups may be quickly and easily removed or attached to a chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single manipulatable closure member for the separate parts of the bunch of keys so arranged that either one of the parts may be opened for removal of its keys or closed by the single member common to both.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder which is extremely simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of the key holder, illustrating a fragmental portion of a key assembled on one part thereof;

Fig. 2 is a View of the retaining plate with the keeper swung to one side;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the retaining plate alone;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the keeper alone; and

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig, 1, but omitting the chains or flexible elements.

In proceeding with this invention, I provide a keeper for retaining both ends of two flexible members such as chains. The chains are attached at one end to a common opening in the member and positioned in separate notches. A

single pivoted retainer closes both of these notches and may be selectively moved in one or the other direction so as to open one or the other notch, the inherent resiliency of the keeper being utilized for retaining it in desired position.

With reference to the drawing, l0 designates the retaining plate which is cut out in the shape shown in Fig. 3, there being a hole I I in the plate near one end thereof, while there are notches l2 and I 3 in the periphery of the plate at points spaced from the hole I I. I also provide a hole M in the plate, while there is a recess I5 in the plate formed by deflecting the stock rearwardly.

The keeper member shown in Fig. 4 and designated generally I! is of the shape best shown in Fig. 4, having an opening I8 which registers with the opening I6 and accommodates a hollow rivet IQ for pivotally positioning it on the plate 10. The keeper flares outwardly into portions 20 which, when the keeper is in position, as shown in Fig. 1, so locates these portions 20 as to close the openings to the notches l2 and I3. An arm 2| extends radially from the pivot opening l8 and fits snugly against the face of the plate 10. An oiiset finger portion 22 will enter recess l5 in the plate so as to hold the keeper H in a position such as shown in Fig- 1, that its portions 20 may close both of the openings to the notches I2 and I 3. The arm 2| is resilient and the resiliency of the keeper is enhanced by a piercing 23 so that the flexibility of this part will be increased.

Knurling or some roughening 24 may be provided in the radial arc described by the finger 22 so as to retard its pivotal movement, while the stock of the plate l0 may be raised as at 25 so as to provide stops to limit the swinging movement of the arm 2|. may be swung to selectively open either the notch l2 or l3.

Flexible members 26 and 21 consisting of short lengths of chain are attached to the opening II by their end links 28 and 29, while their opposite end link 30 and 3| are positionable in the notches l 3 or I2. That is, the end link 30 may be inserted into the notch l3, while the end link 3| may be inserted into the notch [2, as shown in Fig. 1. The keeper will, of course, close the entrance to the notch and retain these flexible members in position.

One of the flexible members will be longer than the other for the sake of convenience in selecting of the key. I have shown the chain 26 as longer than the chain 21, it being preferable that the larger bunch of keys will be positioned on the flexible holder 26 and that the keys of more fre- By this arrangement the arm 2| quent use will be placed upon the flexible chain 21 so as to be more available with one more quickly and easily chosen by the user.

The hollow rivet I9 provides a means for attachment of the key holder to a chain for anchoring the holder to the person,

I claim:

1. A key holder comprising a retaining member having spaced peripheral notches therein, two flexible chains each having one end attached at a location spaced from the notches, and the other end insertable in one of said notches, and akeeper pivoted on said member adjacent said notches equally distant therefrom and at one side of a line between said notches and of a size and shape to close the entrance to said notches, said keeper being movable about its pivot in either direction to selectively open the entrance to either of said notches for withdrawal of the chain end therein from said notch and an arm on said keeper extending away from said pivot and to the opposite side of said line between said notches and frictionally engaging the surface of said retaining member.

2. A key holder comprising a retaining member having spaced peripheral notches therein, two flexible chains each having one end attached at a location spaced from the notches, and the other end insertable in one of said notches, and a keeper pivoted on said member adjacent said notches equally distant therefrom and at one side of a line between said notches and of a size and shape to close the entrance to said notches, said keeper being movable about its pivot in either direction to selectively open the entrance to either of said notches for withdrawal of the chain end therein from said notch and an arm on said keeper ex- 

